City school reels over abuse case

An Auckland primary school is demanding answers after two five-year-old girls supposed to be under adult supervision at a school holiday programme were sexually assaulted.

The girls were part of a group being supervised during school holidays at Ponsonby's Richmond Rd School when the assault happened.

The programme is contracted out to Auckland woman Sue Winslow and is aimed at children with two working parents.

Both girls had wandered out of an area where children were watching videos after a trip to Auckland Zoo. Police and school staff have confirmed the girls were assaulted about 3.30pm on January 12, during the 45 minutes they managed to get away from the main group.

A man aged 30-40 approached the girls and assaulted them. He also recorded the assaults on camera.

"The school, myself and the school community are very angry," said acting principal Donal McLean. "We are very keen to review all the things the school can do to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Ms Winslow informed the girls' parents of the assault and, with parental permission, called police.

"It should never have happened," Mr McLean said. "We are going to be reviewing what was is in place and how it happened. It's not good enough." Mr McLean said the incident would be discussed at a board of trustees meeting tomorrow night, and Ms Winslow would be asked to explain.

He said he was worried the attacker had not been arrested. Principals in the area had been informed, as had parents of Richmond Rd School.

Constable Lea Wakefield said witnesses were needed to identify the man, including a woman who helped free the girls when they got stuck on monkey bars in the playground.

The man who carried out the assault was described as European, with dark skin and short hair that was possibly receding. The female witness being sought was wearing a pink T-shirt and had curly hair.

One of the girls' parents said they were trying to maintain as normal a life as possible for their daughter. "For us, it has been tremendously traumatic."

Ms Winslow said she had followed rules laid down by Child Youth and Family for supervising children. It dictated one adult for 12 children.

"It makes me feel incredibly sick it happened. It is a terribly unfortunate incident and I do feel totally gutted by it."

She said she planned to exceed suggested levels of supervision for future programmes.

During the school terms, Ms Winslow operates an after-school programme for the Richmond Rd school.

- Herald on Sunday